I’ve been scrapbooking for a good 15 years and love the traditional method as well as the digital method. Recently I’ve gotten into the “hybrid” method which is 70% digital and 30% traditional. That being said, I can’t really print photobooks (which really are inexpensive) because I prefer thicker loose prints to be able to add embellishments the traditional way. So I recently purchased the EPSON R1900 wide format printer in order to print on thicker paper. Yes, it’s a big investment but in the long run it’s cheaper.
Here’s why I say that…
I’m getting ready to print a scrapbook of my new little nephew. So far I have a good 40 pages!! I’ve checked various photo websites and the prices are outrageous!! The cheapest I’ve seen is $5.39 per 12 x 12 print! That’s a whopping $215.60, plus shipping. Just printing these pages twice would amount to what I paid for my printer. Yes, I have to buy paper. Yes, I have to buy ink. But, on average I’m saving $80. I have to print my pages anyway so why not do it saving money. I really believe digital scrapbooking is cheaper and easier and when combined with “traditional” embellishments your creativity is endless. And to have the ability to share the pages and/or albums with friends and family that aren’t close by makes it even more worthwhile.
Brandon says:
I too have found it cheaper printing my own prints, not just for scrapbooking but photos themeselves. Most local places around my area charge $10/8×10 which you can have many small prints, few 4×6, etc, but still $10/8×10 sheet. I have found Epson printers to be one of the best quality as well. I broke price down one time for cost/page doing my own prints on a different model Epson, I don’t remember the exact figures, but I do remember it was a lot cheaper to print myself.
Olga says:
I definitely love digital scrapbooking!!! It’s much easier and cheaper than the traditional way of scrapbooking. Thanks for sharing! Great scrapbook layouts by the way!